MMG Rosebery on track to deliver 2015 production

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MMG Rosebery is on track for 2015, producing 23,627 tonnes of zinc concentrate during the first three months of 2015.

Total zinc production was 11% higher than during the same period in 2014 but 10% lower compared with the previous quarter. The operation also produced 5,133 tonnes of lead in lead concentrate during the quarter.

Rosebery General Manager Aaron Brannigan said that a zinc production record during March helped to offset lower grades and milling rates during January and February.

"Our focus on asset utilisation helped us to achieve a zinc metal production record of 11,240 tonnes in March – a remarkable achievement which was key to offsetting lower production earlier in the quarter.

"I am very proud of the teamwork which enabled us to achieve this result and we’re on track to achieve our 2015 zinc and lead production guidance."

Mining has resumed in areas of the mine previously affected by geotechnical restrictions implemented during the first half of 2014. Rosebery has also commissioned a ventilation upgrade to assist with mine development.

Cyclone activity across Northern Australia led to Nyrstar increasing their loadings of Rosebery zinc during the quarter, highlighting strong smelter demand for Rosebery zinc.

Rosebery’s near mine exploration program also continued during the quarter, with in-field drilling and soil sampling undertaken within the mine lease.

Production guidance for Rosebery is unchanged and MMG expects the operation to produce 80,000-85,000 tonnes of zinc and 22,000-24,000 tonnes of lead in 2015.

Rosebery is an underground polymetallic base metal mine located in the township of Rosebery in Tasmania. It has operated continuously since 1936 with current mine life extending to 2024.